The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will not participate in 2016 Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Debates.

According to the party's General Secretary, Johson Asiedu Nketiah, they took the decision at their Functional Executive Committee (FEC) meeting on Tuesday, June 21.

The NDC will not "participate in any debate to be organized by the Institute Of Economic Affairs (IEA), as far as it is related to the 2016 General Election," a statement from the NDC, Tuesday said. 

The Evening Encounter is an opportunity for the flagbearers to share details of their manifestos to the voting public. 

Ahead of the 2012 elections, the NDC threatened to boycott activities of the Institute but made a u-turn at the last hour to take part in the Evening Encounter as well as the presidential debate.

The party has not partaken in the debate from the time of the late John Evans Atta-Mills. 

All party structures, especially the Youth and Women's wings have been advised to take note and comply accordingly. 

The Debates started Tuesday with the leader of the People National Convention (PNC's), Dr Edward Mahama who picked the ballot to go first and would be followed by Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, flagbearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and end with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the NPP.